Self-adjusting finger ring



Oct. 28, 1952 B, AXEL 2,615,314

' SELF-ADJUSTING FINGER RING Filed July 11, 1952 :5 sheets-sheet 1 43 U;43 42 35 as INVENTOR. BENJAMIN AXEL ATTO-R'NEY Oct. 28, 1952 B. AXEL X2,615,314

SELF-ADJUSTING FINGER RING Filed July 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. BENJAMIN AXEL ATTORNEY B. AXEL 2,615,314

SELF-ADJUSTING FINGER RING 7 Oct. 28, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July11, 1952 an 52 g. 8! f INVEN TOR.

BENJAMIN AXEL ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1952 1 Benjamin .lAxel, RoslynHeights, 'N. assignor to "Tm-Fit Eompany, -New- York,rN.:.','-'ai. part-.nership application-my 11, 1952,*seria1*No;-29'si406 This inventionrelates to finger rings;:and more particularly to such rings *thatareadapted to adjust themselves :automaticall-yito the finger "of the user.

This application is ;a continuation-inapart "of a mm-pendingapplications:Serial No. 1 181,358,: filed zarea *of -.:the opening being adapted tobe :auto- =matiea1iy increased to :al-lowthe' ringto bepreadily massed:over a knuckleof the wearer and *subse- I 'si aently=contracted ordecreased to fit the thinner portion of r'the finger where it uniteswith the zzalmzof 'the hand.

Another objectof the inventionis'to provide a ring-ofthe-characterindicated that makes a snug, but comfortable .fi-t on "thefingerof the wearer, :zth-e parts being 'TSO constructed and "arrangedras-to -.prevent :the ring from accidentally .fislipping'ofithe fingerWithout'retarding or other- -.w-ise hampering normal circulationof blood1 through the finger; Y. The-dnvention-h-as for a -furt-her' object theprovisin-n -of a 'fingenring having incorporated therein adjusting meansfonvaryi-mg the size thereof, which means :is effectively concealed whenthe ring is-in place on the fingerof a user.

A 'still further object of the invention is to provide a-self-adjustingfingerringthat is simple, compact and sturdy :in construction 1 anddesign;

that is reasonable in manufacturing cost; and

"that is capable of periformingits intended ifunctionsin an iefficien'tan-d trouble-free manner.

To the end that the-foregoing obj'ects'may. be

readily-attained, one'recommended formiof finger ring constructed inaccordance with the inventi0n, --comprises a continuous band thatdefines a generally circular finger-receiving opening. The band-may beprovided witha decorative headand .=has,=-injthe region 01 the head,. arecess that merges or communicates with the fin'ger'receiv 15 :Claims.(Cl."I63-16)' portion thereo'f and 'c' "springfalign-ing element's Ur-lugs that ai ediicatd who'l ly within the" recess. I

opening; 'Ihismeansma hollow-member con'sistin'g ranarcuate' bo m walland pairs ofsp'acewapart' paraillel na and side walls. .Each wall ofoiie of thelpairs i's provided withw'anintegral-, outwardlyprojectinglipithatzis'iad'apteditorengage a orresponding shoulder. LIApair rofmompressronnsprings, 'm'ai 'nrtain'ed inspacedireration hy'th'e'a1ig ning"elemerits islidabl'e in the l' ec'ess" walls in' th'erecess-and corresponding'migning elements' --carri'ed ib'y the. hollowmember, normally nd yieldinglyurgesithevmeznber in a*direction towardthe center of the firiger-"receivirigaop'rfing. Movement rof' itthemember in suchdirection is -limited "by engagement 6: "the "lips -With"the I end'wa'l-lsor by' the sidewalls-of the hollow memher. is ":setforth in the detailed description that follows, and as is shown in the'accompanying drawings, the shoulders forfixedimth'e =b'and are "disposedin=locations for proper engagement by the lips. The parts are soconstructed -and arranged that the -memberninay -be readily inse'rtedthe recessin-a manner that *the 'lipcarrying :wall's of'the member aremanually flexed 1 inwardly until-the lips pass the shoulders,-whereuponthose wallsare -autom'atically flexed outwardly so that the lips engagethe shoulders -bo-th limit 'movement' of themember toward the center ofthe finger-receiving-openingandtprevent aeciclenta-lremoval of themember'from the band.

Another recommended 1 form of the invention contemplates-employinga-two' piece hollow mem- "berin lieu of the-one-piece member referred toearlier herein, each piece 'comprising'an arcuate bottom'walL aipair ofside walls and'an e'nd wall having a shoulder-engaging lip'. Thepiecesof this hollow member are pivotal with respect to each other andto the ring bandaboilt a "ommdn :axis and are spring-+pressed' towardthe "center of the finger receivin "opening, as' will be described indetail's'further along'herein.

A further recommended fo'r in 'of fifige'i' constructed in"accordanc'ewith this inven ion comprises a continuous 'band 'that d fines a'ge'n-"erallycircularnnger-receivin openin'g an hat carries amounting, o'rsett unit, -whjic flIn the drawings:

Figure 1 is van end elevation'view, cross section, of a finger ringconstructed in accordance with the invention, theself-adjusting meansbeing omitted for better illustration 'of detailsof construction of theband;

line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view-in end elevation of a hol-.

adapted to support a gem or the like. The band is provided with a pairof circumferentially spaced recesses that lie to opposite sides of thesetting unit and that merge or communicate with the finger-receivingopening. The band is also provided with a shoulder in each of itsrecessdefining portions and a spring-aligning element or pinlocatedwholly within the-"corresponding recess.- g r V r In this form of theinvention, the means for varying the efiective area of thefinger-receiving;

opening comprises a pair of hollowmembers and a pair of compressionsprings. Each hollow member is normally partly within a correspondingrecess and is pivotally connected proximate one end of the band.Further, each member preferably consists of an arcuate bottom wall, andpairs of spaced-apart side and end walls that project into acorresponding band recess. One of the end walls is intermediate thepivotal connection betweenthe memberand the setting vunit and has anoutwardly projecting lip that engages the corresponding shoulder tolimit pivotal movement of the member in an inward direction with respectto the band opening. One end portioncf each springis disposed in andengages the pin in a, corresponding recess. The other end {portion ofeach spring bears against the bottom 'wall of the member and is retainedin predetermined position within the member b ra pin that is carried-bythe member or by a means that may include a tongue which is struck fromthe member bottom wall and projects inwardly thereof; .The parts are soconstructed and arranged that each spring normally and yieldingly urgesa 1 corresponding member in an inward direction with respect to the'band about its pivotal connection to the extent allowed by thecorresponding lip andband shoulder.

The enumerated objects, as well as otherobjects, together with theadvantages of the invention will be readily understood by personsskilled in the. art upon reference to the following detailed descriptionand the annexed drawings, which respectively describe and illustraterings embodying the. invention. v

partly in Figure 2 corresponds toFigure 1 and shows the self-adjustingmeans operatively associated with the band; r I Figure 3 is a view inenlargement'taken along line'3-P3 of Figure I; e i

. Figure 4 is a view in enlargement taken along low member which forms apart of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a View corresponding to Figure 2' and shows a modified formof the invention, parts being broken away and other-parts bein -.Q'm itted for better illustration;

Y Figurev 7 isan enlarged View taken along line ,T-Jof Figured;

Figure 8 also corresponds to Figure-2 and is illustrative of anotherform ofthe invention;

Figure 9 is a view in line 9 -.9,,of Figure 8;

enlargement taken along Figure 10 is a. view enlargement taken along VFigure 11' is a view in enlargement taken along invention.

f ja'preferred form of selfad justing means operativel associated withtheband;"-

Figure 14 is a view in enlargement taken along line- M|4 of Figure 12,the setting unit of the .ringmerely being represented by dot-dash linesfor better illustration of other parts;

Figure 15 is a view in enlargement taken along line l5-l5 of Figure 13,the setting unit again merely being shown in dot-dash lines;

Figure 16 is a view in enlargement taken along line 16-46 of Figure 13;and

Figure 17 corresponds to a portion of Figure 13 and is illustrative of amodified form of the Referring nowqto the drawings, wherein likereference numerals identify corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, and moreparticularly to Figures 1 through 5, a continuous ringband 29..defines a substantially circular fingerreceiving opening 2 lThe band may be provided with an integral decorative head 22.Anzelongated recess 23, formed in the band in the region of head 22,communicates with the finger-receiving opening, as best shown in Figurel. The recess-defining portion of theband includes a pair of angularlyspaced shoulders 25. Wholly-within the recess is a pair of spaced springaligning pin or lug elements 25.

Figures 2, 4 and 5 illustrate in detail the construction of a movablemember'26 that constitutes a mean extending substantially the length andwidth of the recess, for varying the efifective area of band opening 2!.Member 26 is hollow and is preferably formed'of sheet metal. It consistsof an arcuate bottom wall 21, having aninner finger-engaging face, apair of spaced parallel side walls 28, and a pair of spaced, generallyparallel end walls29. 'The ends of the bottom wall merge with the endwalls with a flared or curved edge as indicated by reference numeral 30.Each end wall is slit, as indicated at 3| in Figure 5,- to obtain agenerally T-'-shaped When member 26 is in its normal position, as

shown in Figure 2,'it projects inwardly'of the periphery of thefinger-receiving opening of the band, thereby decreasing the effectivearea of. the opening. The member' is adapted to be moved away from thecenter of the opening against the action of springs-35m a retractedposition substantially flush with the periphery of the ,opening tocorrespondingly increase the 7 effective area of the band opening Itwill thus be apparent that the member and'spring arrangement permits thering to be readily moved past aknuckle of a users finger without injurythereto, and subsequently snugly' and comfort ably retains the ring-'-in its normal location. on the finger :v .5 f. r'f.

l The modiflcationn o1 the invention shown in 'Flgures-fifand 7- isthe=sameji n most-respectsas the-mm efthe =inv'ention :shown in Figures1-5. The modification-r alm comprises a .ring 'bandiltghaving a'finger-receiving opening 31, a head-38, and an, elongated recess :39.The modiilcation contemplatesproviding shoulders that are spaced alongthe axis of the ring bandin- 'stca'd of "being. spaced angularly as inthe case of shoulders "241, at: the. first. described form. oftheinvention. a .n hollowwmemben llit generally the same. as movablemember .26, also includesh-anrarouate bnttom: wall 42, having an :inner:finger-cngaging fiaice, side walls 43, and end-walls Mu. Here, the sidewalls-rare :provided .with outwardlyvextend- .ing lips :or fianges AStha-t' engagecorresponding shoulders 40 in the ring-band .to; limit:movement iof imemberufl"toward:the center of the :band

opening. i

"Reference is now had to "Figures 1 8 through 111 whichillustrateanother modification ofthe invention. Thismodificationlikewisercomprises a zring' band 50, having a finger-receiving opening31 and ahead 52; :tion is' iurt'her elongated as compared to the recess:ofthe earlier described forms of. the invention; The band is alsoprovided with -a pair of angularly spaced shoulders 54.

T 'I'h'is modification contemplates utilizing a hollow member 55 that'is of two-piece construction, "as distinguished from one-piece hollowmembers {2 B' andI'I earIier described; and'that extends substantiallythe length and width of the-recess.

Member 55 comprises a first unit St and a secbnd uniti'lz Unit 56consists of an arouate bot- :tom wall 58; having an innerfinger-engaging "face, -a pair ot-spaced side-walls 59, each having einextension -60, and a single -end wall t l that -terin'inates in anoutwardly projecting lip 52'. lo'ttom W8.1158 and endwall '6l merge witha curved or flared edge as indicated at 63;

I simila'rly,"unit S Iconsists of an arcuate bottom wall 64, having aninner curved finger-receivingface, -a -'pair of spaced side walls t5each having an extension 66, and an end wall 61 that terminates inanoutwardly projectinglip =88; Bottom wa'llzlfiland end wall 81 alsomerge-with a- 'curved or flared-edge as indicated at 89. Units 55 8 and'51, which together formthe movable -means --for varying the efiecti-vearea of fingerreceivin'g opening 5-l are pivoted with respect to thebandand to each-'other through the-medium 'of apin '10" that-extends throughextensions 60 antI- INi-and is supported by the band.

is best shown in Figure 8; compression springs 35 normally andyie'ldingly urge =both unitsaboutthe axis of pin ina directiongener'ally toward thecenter offinger-receivingopeniing I51. Lips 62and68--engage with-corresponding shoulders 54 to limit movement ofthe-units =in.;s'aid direction. v

' Another form-of finger ring=construoted-in ac cordancewiththi'sinvention'is shown in Figures 12Jthrough 16'. -Referringfirstto Figures 12 and '13:.Ihareilli1strated therein a finger ring T3 thatoomprises'a band, having a mounting .or set- :ting'unit J5 incorporatedtherein and defining a substantially circular finger receiving opening"16.1" The setting.unitincludesa base 11, the lower surface of whichmerges withand is in continua- .itiono'f'the remainder of the innersurface of the band, and a plurality of arcuate upstanding prongs 18that constitute ornamental extensions tot/corresponding portions of thebase. [The Recess 53 of 'this'modificae prongs areiadapted to:receiveand retain: a. gem; orthe'like, '19; I '1 a As best shownin-Figurel'z-the band .tisgpro: ridedwi-th a pair of circumferentiallyspacedzrecessesganthat'lie to opposite sidesof settin 'unit ,liandthaticommunictate with band openEachrecessedefiningportionofthe-band-includes .a stop element, such as,a shoulder :81 that is adjacen teth efiinsunit: Wh l y Wi hin cashrecess 80" is: a sprins=a isni spm 8 that: Pr-Q 'jectsigenerally towardthe centerei thev band opening. 1 a Referenceis next had to Figures 13,15 and-Lid for an understanding of the details of construction ofmovable members 83 that constitute a preferred-means for varying theeffective, area; of

' band opening 16. Each'member-r '83 ishollow "the band by a pin 90'.

3,; consists of an arcuate bottom wall v8t, hav: ing i-an-y-innerfinger-engaging face, a -p air of ,spacedparallel side-walls 85(Figurelfil, a our ed end-wal 86. an tin-inclined, general y planar endwall 81.: Each .battom wall :84 and corre sponding end walled! mergewith aeouitved. ,or :fiarededge, as indicated ,atQBii. E achfendl all Bi-has an outwardly projecting lip or exile,.Il5 io i1 89;. Each member fit-registers with acme.- spcnding. recess 80 and is pivotally connectedto the band proximate its end Wallfifiby .a wpin-.90 that,registerstwith openings .9! Vin the recesswdejfining portions .of theband. Each bottom, wall ,84 carries .a pin 92 that is adjacent to.corree spending end wall .81. Partly in veaoh recess. and partly in acorresponding member &3,' is a helical compression spring 93 that,engages} an d is maintained in ialignment, by corresponding pins .82and. 92. S will be apparent. from an examination of Figure 13,eachspringnormally and .y eldine y trees correspondin member, 8.3 Min,-wardly with respectto the band, about itSMPiYOI r m Suchv inwardmovement of eachlmemher 83..is limited by its .lip, 89 engaging the correspondinsshoulder 8L When members .83 are in their illustratednormalposition with respectto the band (Figure 13:), they both projectinto ring openinglB, thereby decreasing the effective area of thatopening. Bothi embers are adapted to b mo ed upw rdly andinto.recesses'fifl against the action of springs 9.3-.to therebycorrespondinglyincrease theeffec tive area Of the open ng, t'w l n e be"an: parent. that the ar ang ment of members 83' a springs .9,3..prmits, therine t r'be r adily m ve ,past the knuckles ofv a u rs fingerand subse silently snu ly and. comf rta ly eta ns th r ng in itsnormal'location on the finger.

Figure 1'7 illustrates a modification of theQLin- ,vention, that isthessame in most respects asthe formgof the invention shown in Figures12 through 16. In this modification, eachof a pair .oi'hollowmembersiilfiregisters with a corresponding band recess 80 and-ispivotally connectedto Each hollow member -95 includes an arcuate bottomwall 96, having an inner finger-engaging face, a pair of parallel spacedsidewallsSl, a curved endwall 98; and

"an inclined-,substantially planar end Wall asthat has anoutwardlyprojecting lipor extension 100. Eaoh'member 95 is identical With-earlierdescribed member 83 except that, in lieu-of having-aspringaligning pin,bottom wall '96 ispierced, as indicated .at HM, and bent inwardly toobtain an ing-the lower end portionofzcompressioncspring 93 whichnormally andyieldinglyurges member 95 inwardly with respect to the ringband about pivot-pin 99 as allowed by shoulder 8| and lip I00.

Thus it 'will be seen that the constructions herein shown and describedare Well adapted. to accomplish the objects of the present invention. Itwill be understood, however, that the invention maybe embodied otherwisethan here shown, and that in the forms illustrated certain obviouschanges in construction may be made. Therefore, I do not wish to belimited precisely tothe constructions herein shown except as may berequired by the appended claims considered with reference to the priorart.

' 1. A finger ring comprising a band defining a finger receivingopening, said band having an elongated recess extending throughout asubstantialportion thereof and communicating with said opening, movablemeans mounted in said recess andextending substantially the length andwidth thereof provided withinner, side, and end faces for varyin theeffective area of said finger-receiving opening, the inner and end facesof said means mergin together with flared edges to prevent injury tothewearers finger, resilient means positioned intermediate said band andsaid movable means to urge at least a portion of said movable means tonormally project inwardly'of the periphery of the finger-receivingopening and to permit the retraction thereof to a position substantiallyflush with the periphery of said opening. and means for limiting themovement of at least'a portion ofsaid movable means in a directioninwardly of the finger-receiving opening.

. "2, A finger ring comprising a band defining a finger-receivingopening, said band having an elongated recess extending throughout asubstan-,

tial portion thereof and communicating with said opening, movable meansformed of sheet metal and being generally U-shaped in transverse crosssection mounted in said recess and extending substantially the lengthand Width thereof provided with inner and side faces, for'varying theeffective area of said finger-receiving opening,

resilient means positioned intermediate said band and said movable meansto urge at least a portion of said movable means to normally projectinwardly of the periphery of the finger-receiving opening and to permitthe retraction thereof to a position substantially flush with theperiphery of said opening, and means for limiting the movement of atleast a portion of said movable means in a direction inwardly of thefinger-receiving opening.

3. A finger ring comprising a'band defining a finger-receiving opening,said band having an elongated recess extending throughout a substantialportion thereof and communicating with said opening, a pair of spacedshoulders positioned within said elongated recess of said band, movablemeans mounted in said recess and extending substantially the length andwidth thereof provided with inner, side and end faces for varying theefiective area of said finger-receiving opening, the inner and end facesof said means merging together with, flared edges to prevent injury tothe wearers finger, said movable means including a pair of spaced lipsthat engage said spaced shoulders to limit movement of at least aportion of said movable means inwardly of said fingerreceiving opening,and resilient means positioned intermediate said band and said movablemeans to urge'at least a portion of said movable means to normallyproject inwardly of the periphery of the finger-receiving opening and topermitthe spaced angularly with respect to the axis of the 1 band. 1

5. A finger ring in accordance with claim 3 wherein the shoulders andcooperating lips are spaced along the axis of the band.

6. A finger ring comprising a band defining a finger-receiving opening,said band having an elongated recess extending throughout a substantial:portion thereof and communicating with said'opening, a pair of spacedshoulders positioned within said elongated recess of said band,movable'means formed of sheet metal and being generally U-shaped intransverse cross section mounted in said recess and extendingsubstantially the length and width thereof for varying the effectivearea of said finger-receiving opening,

, provided with inner and side faces, said movable means including apair of spaced lips that engage said spaced shoulders .to limit movementof at least a portion of said movable means inwardly of saidfinger-receiving opening, resilient means positioned intermediate saidband and said movable means to urge at least a portion of said movablemeans to normally project inwardly of the periphery of thefinger-receiving opening with said lips in abutting relationship withsaid shoulders and to permit the retraction thereof toa positionsubstantially flush withthe periphery of said opening. v

'7. A finger ring comprising a band defining a finger-receiving opening,said band having an elongated recess extending throughout a substantialportion thereof communicating with said opening, a pair of spacedshoulders positioned within said elongated recess of said band, a hollowmember slidably mounted in said recess having, a portionprojecting intosaid opening, said member extending substantially the length and widthof said opening and comprising aninner wall having an arcuate shapedfinger engaging surface, a pair of spaced side walls and a pair ofspaced end walls, an outwardly projecting lip carried by each wall ofone of said pairs of spaced walls, and resilient means positionedintermediate said band and said hollow member to urge said member tonormally project inwardly of the periphery of the finger-receivingopening with said lips in abutting relationship with said shoulders andto permit the retraction of said member to a position substantiallyflush with the periphery of said opening.

8. A finger ring in accordance with claim 7 wherein the shoulders andcooperating lips are spacled angularly with respect to the axis of theban Y 9. A finger ring in accordance with claim 7 wherein the shouldersand cooperating lips are spaced along the axis of the band.

10. A finger ring in accordance with claim 3 wherein the movable meanscomprises a pair of units positioned in substantial end to endrelationship, each unit bein pivotally connected to said band proximateadjacent ends.

11. A'finger ring in accordance with claim 6 wherein the movable meanscomprises two units each of which is pivotally mounted at adjacent endsthereof on a common axis positioned within said recess. I

r 12. A finger ring in accordance .withclaim 1 9 wherein the movablemeans is pivotally connected to the band and includes a lip, and themeans for limiting movement of at least a portion of the movable meansin a direction inwardly of the finger-receiving opening comprises ashoulder positioned within the recess of the band and engageable by thelip.

13. A finger ring in accordance with claim 1 wherein the band includes asetting unit and the elongated recess is disposed to one'side of thesetting unit, said band having a second elongated recess disposed to theopposite side of the setting unit, a second movable means mounted in thesecond recess, both of said movable means being pivotally connected tothe band about independent axes.

14. A finger ring in accordance with claim 2 wherein the band includes asetting unit and the elongated recess is disposed to one side of thesetting unit, said band having a second elongated recess disposed to theopposite side of the setting unit, a second movable means mounted in thesecond recess, both of said movable means being pivotally connected tothe band about independent axes, a first pin in each recess, and asecond pin in each movable means, said resilient means comprising aspring that is engaged by corresponding first and second pins.

15. A finger ring in accordance with claim 2 wherein the band includes asetting unit and the elongated recess is disposed to one side of thesetting unit, said band having a second elongated recess disposed to theopposite side of the setting unit, a second movable means mounted in thesecond recess, both of said movable means being pivotally connected tothe band about independent axes, a pin in each recess, each of saidmovcorresponding pin and the other end portion being positioned in thespace between the corresponding tongue and end wall.

BENJAMIN AXEL.

No references cited.

